Meta rolls back on restrictions on Donald Trump’s accounts ahead of election

Meta has lifted all remaining restrictions on former US president Donald Trump's social media accounts.

The tech firm restored Trump’s Instagram and Facebook accounts on Friday, rolling back on “heightened” restrictions and suspension penalties.

Trump was banned from the social media sites following the January 2021 Capitol riots, where he was accused of inciting violence and spreading misinformation.

He had been allowed back on the platforms in 2023 but under “additional monitoring” for any “further violating content”. Up to now, such content could have got his account suspended again for up to two years.

These “guardrails” have now been removed to “allow for political expression” ahead of presidential candidate nominations, Meta has said.

Trump is expected to be officially nominated as the Republican candidate during the party’s national convention, which begins today.

The Democratic National Convention is not set to take place until late August.

Nick Clegg, president of global affairs for Meta, said: “In assessing our responsibility to allow political expression, we believe that the American people should be able to hear from the nominees for president on the same basis. As a result, former president Trump, as the nominee of the Republican Party, will no longer be subject to the heightened suspension penalties.

“All US presidential candidates remain subject to the same community standards as all Facebook and Instagram users, including those policies designed to prevent hate speech and incitement to violence.”